Safety chain system

ABSTRACT

A safety chain system that includes a drawbar hanger. The drawbar hanger includes a drawbar frame that defines a first aperture. A drawbar rests within the first aperture. A safety chain anchor also rests within the first aperture. The safety chain anchor defines a second aperture. The second aperture receives a safety chain. The safety chain anchor is able to slide in and out of the first aperture.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural implements, andmore specifically to coupling of agricultural implements to agriculturalvehicles.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Agricultural implements couple to tractors or other agriculturalvehicles to perform an agricultural task (e.g., tilling, planting,seeding, spraying, fertilizing, harvesting, etc.). The agriculturalimplements typically couple to the tractors with a drawbar that providesa mechanical connection that enables the tractor to pull theagricultural implement. To provide redundant mechanical connection andblock uncoupling between the agricultural vehicle and the agriculturalimplement, a safety chain may be used. The safety chain may couple tothe drawbar hanger that supports the drawbar and to a connection pointon the implement. The size of the safety chain depends on the weight ofthe agricultural implement being towed. Unfortunately, the apertures ondrawbar hangers may not accommodate the large safety chains used whentowing heavier implements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedsubject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intendedto limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather theseembodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possibleforms of the disclosure. Indeed, the disclosure may encompass a varietyof forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments setforth below.

In one embodiment, a safety chain system that includes a drawbar hanger.The drawbar hanger includes a drawbar frame that defines a firstaperture. A drawbar rests within the first aperture. A safety chainanchor also rests within the first aperture. The safety chain anchordefines a second aperture. The second aperture receives a safety chain.The safety chain anchor is able to slide in and out of the firstaperture.

In another embodiment, a safety chain anchor that couples to a drawbarhanger. The safety chain anchor includes a first section and a secondsection with the first section defining a first width and the secondsection defining a second width. The first width is less than the secondwidth to block removal of the safety chain anchor from the drawbarhanger in a first direction. The first section defines an aperture thatreceives a safety chain that couples an agricultural implement to thedrawbar hanger.

In another embodiment, a safety chain anchor that couples to a drawbarhanger. The safety chain anchor includes a first section. The firstsection defines an aperture that receives a safety chain that couples anagricultural implement to the drawbar hanger. A second section couplesto the first section with one or more fasteners. A combined width of thefirst section and the second section blocks removal of the safety chainanchor from the drawbar hanger in a first direction.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural system with a safetychain anchor coupled to a drawbar hanger of a tractor, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a safety chain anchor coupled to adrawbar hanger of a tractor, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a safety chain anchor coupled to adrawbar hanger of a tractor, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a safety chain anchor coupled to adrawbar hanger, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the safety chain anchor in FIG. 6along line 7-7, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the safety chain anchor in FIG. 8along line 9-9, in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor, in accordancewith an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Anyexamples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are notexclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

A tractor or other agricultural vehicle may tow or support an implementand move the implement through a field to perform an agricultural task.The tractor couples to the agricultural implement with a drawbar and ahitch, which forms a mechanical connection enabling the tractor to pullthe agricultural implement. In addition to the drawbar, the tractor maycouple to the agricultural implement with a safety chain. The safetychain provides redundant mechanical coupling of the tractor to theagricultural implement. The size of the safety chain depends on theweight of the agricultural implement being towed. As will be explainedbelow, the safety chain system includes a safety chain anchor that maybe installed retroactively on an existing tractor (e.g., drawbar hanger)to enable coupling of large safety chains to the tractor.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural system 8 with a safetychain system 10. The safety chain system 10 includes a safety chainanchor 12 that enables a safety chain 14 to couple a tractor 16 (e.g.,work vehicle) to an agricultural implement 18. As illustrated, thesafety chain anchor 12 couples to a drawbar hanger 20 of a tractor 16.The drawbar hanger 20 supports the drawbar 22 as well as the safetychain anchor 12. The drawbar 22 in turn supports the hitch 24. The hitch24 enables the tractor 16 to couple to the agricultural implement 18.The hitch 24 and drawbar 22 provide the primary connection between thetractor 16 and the agricultural implement 18, while the safety chain 14provides a secondary connection between the tractor 16 and theagricultural implement 18.

In operation, the safety chain 14, like the drawbar 22 and hitch 24,block separation of the agricultural implement 18 from the tractor 16.The safety chain 14 extends between a connection point on theagricultural implement 18 and the drawbar hanger 20. To facilitate thecoupling of the safety chain 14 to the tractor 16, the safety chainsystem 10 includes the safety chain anchor 12, which provides anaperture 26 through which the safety chain 14 may be threaded andanchored to. As will be explained below, the safety chain anchor 12 maybe retroactively coupled to the drawbar hanger 20 to enable largersafety chains to be used when heavier implements are coupled to thetractor 16. For example, some safety chains may have a size thatprevents them from being threaded through a drawbar aperture 28 on thedrawbar hanger 20.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the safety chain anchor 12 coupledto a drawbar hanger 20 of the tractor 16. As illustrated, the safetychain anchor 12 rests within the drawbar aperture 28 of the drawbarhanger 20. In this position, the safety chain anchor 12 enablesattachment of the safety chain 14. As will be explained below, thesafety chain anchor 12 defines a shape that enables a first end 46 ofthe safety chain anchor 12 to be inserted into the drawbar aperture 28in direction 50, but blocks removal/the ability of the second end 48 ofthe safety chain anchor 12 to pass through the drawbar aperture 28 indirection 50. Instead, the safety chain anchor 12 is removed from thedrawbar hanger 20 in direction 52. In this way, the safety chain anchor12 forms a connection point between the tractor 16 and the agriculturalimplement 18 with the safety chain 14.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the safety chain anchor 12 coupledto a drawbar hanger 20 of the tractor 16. As illustrated, the safetychain anchor 12 defines a shape that enables a first end 46 of thesafety chain anchor 12 to be inserted into the drawbar aperture 28 indirection 50, but blocks removal of the safety chain anchor 12 from thedrawbar hanger 20 in direction 50. In other words, the second end 48 islarger than the drawbar aperture 28, which blocks removal of the safetychain anchor 12 in direction 50. This enables, the safety chain anchor12 to transfer force from the safety chain 14 to the drawbar hanger 20and ultimately to the tractor 16.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the safety chain anchor 12 coupledto a drawbar hanger 20. As illustrated, the drawbar 22 extends throughthe drawbar aperture 28 of the drawbar hanger 20. The drawbar 22 is heldin place within the drawbar aperture 28 with pins or bolts 70. Thesepins 70 block and/or reduce movement of the drawbar 22 in directions 72and 74. In some embodiments, the drawbar hanger 20 may include a wearplate 76 that blocks and/or reduces wear of the drawbar hanger 20 frommovement of the drawbar 22 and/or the safety chain anchor 12. In someembodiments, the pins 70 may also facilitate retention of the safetychain anchor 12.

As illustrated, the safety chain anchor 12 rests between the drawbar 22and a sidewall 78 of the drawbar hanger 20 with a first sidewall 80proximate the drawbar 22 and a second sidewall 82 proximate the sidewall78 of the drawbar hanger 20. In some embodiments, the first sidewall 80of the safety chain anchor 12 may include a groove 84 that forms a ledge86. The groove 84 enables a bolt 70 to be inserted between the drawbar22 and the safety chain anchor 12. Once inserted, the bolt 70 blocksmovement of the drawbar 22 in direction 74 in addition to blockingretraction of the safety chain anchor 12 in direction 52. The firstsidewall 80 may also include straight portions 88 and 90 relative to alongitudinal axis 92 of the safety chain anchor 12. These straightportions 88 and 90 are on opposite sides of the groove 84. Duringoperation, these straight portions 88 and 90 may contact the drawbar 22,which may block or reduce rotation of the safety chain anchor 12 withinthe drawbar aperture 28. The second sidewall 82 may include an angledportion 94 relative to the longitudinal axis 92. An angle 96 formedbetween the angled portion 94 and the longitudinal axis 92 may besimilar to or the same angle as the sidewall 78 with respect to thelongitudinal axis 92. The angled portion 94 of the second sidewall 82may therefore contact the sidewall 78 to block rotation of the safetychain anchor 12 during operation of the agricultural system 8. Theangled portion 94 may also block retraction of the safety chain anchor12 in direction 52 by contacting the sidewall 78 of the drawbar hanger20. In other words, the safety chain anchor 12 may be captured betweenthe drawbar 22 and the drawbar hanger 20 after installation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the safety chain anchor 12. Asillustrated, the safety chain anchor 12 includes a first portion orsection 120 and a second portion or section 122. The first portion 120defines the aperture 26 (e.g., D-shaped aperture) that receives thesafety chain 14. The first portion 120 defines a width 124. The width124 of the first portion 120 is less than the width 126 of the secondportion 122. These differences in widths enables the first portion 120to extend into the drawbar aperture 28 of the drawbar hanger 20 whilesimultaneously blocking the second portion 122 from passing through thedrawbar aperture 28. The second portion 122 is therefore able totransfer force from a safety chain 14 to the tractor 16 through contactwith the drawbar hanger 20. More specifically, the safety chain anchor12 may contact and transfer force from the safety chain anchor 12 to thedrawbar hanger 20 by contact with the ledge 128 of the second portion122.

In some embodiments, the safety chain anchor 12 may also define a curvedtransition 130 between the ledge 128 and the first portion 120. Thecurved transition 130 may define a radius of curvature that is less thana radius of curvature on the wear plate 76 or the drawbar hanger 20. Asmaller radius of curvature may block or reduce rotation of the safetychain anchor 12 about the wear plate 76 and/or the drawbar hanger 20during operation. By blocking and/or reducing rotation, the safety chainanchor 12 focuses the transfer of force from the safety chain anchor 12to the drawbar hanger 20 through contact with the ledge 128. Asillustrated, the safety chain anchor 12 may be one-piece or integral.For example, the safety chain anchor 12 may be cast and/or machined froma single piece of material.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor 150. Asillustrated, the safety chain anchor 150 may be formed from multiplepieces. For example, the safety chain anchor 150 may include a basesection 152 and a ledge section 154. The base section 152 and the ledgesection 154 couple together with one or more fasteners 156 (e.g.,threaded fasteners). As illustrated, the base section 152 defines theaperture 158 that receives the safety chain 14. The base section 152 mayhave a uniform width 160. This width 160 enables the base section 152 toextend into the drawbar aperture 28 of the drawbar hanger 20. To blockthe base section 152 from completely passing through the drawbaraperture 28 on the drawbar hanger 20, the ledge section 154 couples tothe base section 152. The ledge section 154 has a width 162, which whencoupled to the base section 152 forms an overall width 164 that blockspassage of the safety chain anchor 150 through the drawbar aperture 28.The ledge section 154 therefore enables the transfer of force from asafety chain 14 to the tractor 16 through contact with the drawbarhanger 20.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the safety chain anchor 150 in FIG.6 along line 7-7. As illustrated, the ledge section 154 couples to thebase section 152 with one or more fasteners 156. The fasteners 156 maybe threaded fasteners that extend into apertures 180 on the base section152. The safety chain anchor 150 may also include bushings 182 thatfacilitate coupling and force transmission between the base section 152and the ledge section 154. The bushings 182 rest within a counterbore184 on the base section 152 and in a counterbore 186 on the ledgesection 154. These counterbores 184, 186 may extend less than half ofthe width of the respective base section 152 and ledge section 154. Insome embodiments, the bushings 182 may be threaded bushings thatthreadingly couple to the base section 152 and to the ledge section 154.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor 200. Asillustrated, the safety chain anchor 200 may also be formed frommultiple pieces. For example, the safety chain anchor 200 may include abase section 202 and a ledge section 204. The base section 202 and theledge section 204 couple together with one or more fasteners 206 (e.g.,threaded fasteners). As illustrated, the base section 202 defines theaperture 208 that receives the safety chain 14. The base section 202 mayhave a width 210. This width 210 enables the base section 202 to extendinto the drawbar aperture 28 of the drawbar hanger 20. To block the basesection 202 from completely passing through the drawbar aperture 28 onthe drawbar hanger 20, the ledge section 204 couples to the base section202. The ledge section 204 has a width 212, which when coupled to thebase section 202 forms an overall width 214 that blocks passage of thesafety chain anchor 200 through the drawbar aperture 28 of the drawbarhanger 20. The ledge section 204 therefore enables the transfer of forcefrom a safety chain 14 to the tractor 16 through contact with thedrawbar hanger 20.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the safety chain anchor 200 in FIG.8 along line 9-9. As illustrated, the ledge section 204 couples to thebase section 202 with one or more fasteners 206. The fasteners 206 maybe threaded fasteners that extend into apertures 220 on the base section202. As illustrated, the ledge section 204 may rest within a keyway orgroove 222 in the base section 202. The groove 222 may facilitatealignment, coupling, and force transmission between the base section 202and the ledge section 204.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a safety chain anchor 240. Asillustrated, the safety chain anchor 240 includes a first portion orsection 242 and a second portion or section 244 (e.g., ledge section).The first portion 242 defines the aperture 246 (e.g., D-shaped aperture)that receives the safety chain 14. The first portion 242 may alsoinclude a second aperture 248 in order to reduce the weight of thesafety chain anchor 240. In addition to the second aperture 248, thesafety chain anchor 240 may include a groove 250 that extends throughthe first portion 242 and into the second section 244 and ending at thesecond aperture 248. This groove 250 may further reduce the weight ofthe safety chain anchor 240. As illustrated, the safety chain anchor 240may be one-piece or integral. For example, the safety chain anchor 240may be cast and/or machined from a single piece of material.

While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A safety chain system, comprising: adrawbar hanger, the drawbar hanger defining a first aperture; a drawbarconfigured to rest within the first aperture; and a safety chain anchorconfigured to rest within the first aperture, the safety chain anchordefines a second aperture, the second aperture is configured to receivea safety chain, and wherein the safety chain anchor is configured toslide in and out of the first aperture.
 2. The safety chain system ofclaim 1, wherein the safety chain anchor comprises a first section and asecond section with the first section defining a first width and thesecond section defining a second width, and wherein the first width isless than the second width.
 3. The safety chain system of claim 2,wherein the second width is greater than a width of the first apertureto block removal of the safety chain anchor from the drawbar hanger in afirst direction.
 4. The safety chain system of claim 2, wherein thefirst section defines the second aperture.
 5. The safety chain system ofclaim 1, wherein the second aperture defines a D-shape.
 6. The safetychain system of claim 1, wherein the safety chain anchor is one-piece.7. The safety chain system of claim 1, wherein the safety chain anchordefines a ledge, wherein the ledge is configured to contact a pin orbolt to block removal of the safety chain anchor in a second directionfrom the drawbar hanger.
 8. The safety chain system of claim 2, whereinthe safety chain anchor defines a curved surface between the firstsection and the second section.
 9. The safety chain system of claim 8,wherein the curved surface defines a first radius of curvature that isless than a second radius of curvature of a hanger drawbar portionconfigured to contact the safety chain anchor.
 10. The safety chainsystem of claim 1, comprising the safety chain configured to extendthrough the second aperture of the safety chain anchor.